Frequently Asked Questions

Dining Services

MEAL PLANS

Do I need to sign up for a meal plan every semester?

University policy states that all students living on campus must purchase a meal plan each semester. If you are an active member of a Bucknell fraternity, and you are billed through the university for a fraternity meal plan of equal or greater value to the minimum University dining dollar plan, you do not need to purchase a university meal plan.

If I live off-campus, what meal plans are available to me?

As an off-campus non-resident student, you are not required to buy a meal plan, but they are all available to you.

Which meal plan should I choose?

First Year Students must buy a Anytime Access or Anytime Access Meal Plan. For other students, any meal plan is a good choice. Plans with Dining Dollars give you the flexibility to buy convenience items for your room. Check out the dining dollar calculator or ask your friends which plan they are going to choose.

What are Bostwick To-Go Meals?

If you are in a hurry, you can give your BU ID to the cashier and receive a carry-out container. You will have a short period of time to quickly get something to take with you. The carry-out option is available until 9 p.m. nightly and can only be used once per meal period - breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each guest receives a large and small To Go container as well as a soup bowl and utensils cold drink cup and a bag. (The meal is meant to be representative of a meal eaten in Bostwick.)

Is the Bostwick really open from 6 a.m. until midnight?

Yes! Monday through Friday we are open from 6 a.m. until midnight and on Saturday and Sunday we are open from 8 a.m. until midnight. During meal periods, all stations are open, but not every station is open all day. During the afternoon and evening our Grill, Deli, Pizza & Pasta, Salad Bar, Desserts station and beverages are available.

DIETARY RESTRICTIONS AND FOOD ALLERGIES

What accommodations are available if I have a disability?

If you have a need for accommodations regarding a documented disability, there is a specific application for you to complete called the Meal Plan Accommodations Form from the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR). We require students to have both the Student and Professional Meal Plan Accommodations Forms completed and returned to OAR.

My student has special dietary considerations. Can Dining Services help?

We understand how challenging dining with special dietary needs can be. We encourage students to contact a dining services manager to discuss dietary needs or allergy concerns. We offer Touchstones, a program focused on the critical nature of food allergies and we work with our guests on an individual basis to meet their needs. We give ownership to our guests and identify the items we can produce on demand for them. We can meet with students to review our menu and daily offerings to help accommodate their needs. At any time they can email us at dining@bucknell.edu or call 570.577.1240.

DINING DOLLARS

What are Dining Dollars?

Dining dollars are held in a debit card-like account — a convenient no cash way of buying meals and snacks. Dining dollars can be used at any campus dining location and may be used as a meal replacement for the student to whom they were originally assigned; to purchase gift baskets (not reimbursable); to attend a University sponsored event such as Restaurant Night; to purchase tickets for students and their families for dining commencement functions such as Courtside Grill and Farewell Luncheon. Dining dollars are NOT transferable or refundable. They may not be used as a means of payment for a University-sponsored catered event with or without expectation of reimbursement.

Can I add more Dining Dollars during the semester?

Yes, you can. Additional Dining Dollars may be purchased online at: https://secure.bucknell.edu/uaccounts/ or at any of the three convenient campus locations: the Bucknell University Dining Office, the Bison or the Finance Office.

Do remaining Dining Dollars carry over to the next semester?

Yes, Dining Dollars carry over from semester to semester and year to year, but they become invalid upon graduation or separation from the University.

How can I find out how many Dining Dollars I have left?

Your remaining Dining Dollars balance can be found by logging in to myBucknell or by visiting the University Dining Office or the Finance Office.

If you have both Campus Dollars and Dining Dollars, Dining Dollars are used first at all on-campus dining venues.

Can Campus Dollars be used at dining locations?

Yes, Campus Dollars can be used at all dining locations. Campus Dollars do not replace the requirement for student living on campus to purchase a meal plan each semester. Find additional information regarding Campus Dollars.

PAYING FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS

How do I pay for guests?

You may use cash for all meals. You can use Dining Dollars, or Campus Dollars to pay for guests at the Bostwick Marketplace or Terrace Room. Students who choose the Combo meal plan can use one of their swipes to cover a guest's meal. Each of the Anytime Access or Anytime Access Plus meal plans comes with a set number of guest passes that may be used to cover guest meals. In addition, Anytime Access or Anytime Access Plus meal plans, guest passes can be used for special event meals hosted by student groups. Guest passes are only valid for the current semester's meal plan.

How can I pay for food in The Bison, The 7th Street and Library Cafes, Concessions and any other retail venues?

In all our dining operations you may use Dining Dollars, Campus Dollars, credit or cash to purchase food.

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